Firefighting foam compositions containing deep eutectic solvents

Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to novel biocompatible firefighting foam compositions that include a deep eutectic solvent. Disclosed are methods of making and using firefighting foams containing deep eutectic solvents, which may also be used in existing fire foam compositions as drop in solvent additives. The deep eutectic solvents may also be used in or as a principle component of surrogate firefighting foam compositions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The disclosed invention relates to novel biocompatible firefighting foam compositions that include a deep eutectic solvent. Disclosed are methods of making and using firefighting foams containing deep eutectic solvents, which may also be used in existing fire foam compositions as drop in solvent additives. The deep eutectic solvents may also be used in or as a principle component of surrogate firefighting foam compositions.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]Conventional firefighting foam materials are prepared by aerating or trapping air within a concentrated foaming composition. These foams are typically prepared from concentrates by diluting with water and aerating the mixture to form foam. These foams are then dispensed onto a fire, which forms a thick foam blanket that suffocates and extinguishes a fire by reducing oxygen availability.[0003]An important class of firefighting foams includes aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). An important characteristic of these fir...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a firefighting foam composition that includes a deep eutectic solvent and various additional components such as surfactants, solvents, electrolytes, foam stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, antimicrobials, and film formers. The deep eutectic solvent is made up of a mixture of two compounds that have lower melting points than either compound alone. The composition has improved firefighting properties and can be used in firefighting foam.

Problems solved by technology

However, the negative environmental impact of foams including perfluorochemicals has been recognized resulting in restricted use or a complete ban of foams containing perfluorochemicals in certain countries.

The environmental impact of foams including perfluorochemicals results from the long half-life of these chemicals in the environment.

These chemicals may also accumulate in the liver of mammals and demonstrate acute toxicity.

With the higher loadings of polysaccharide materials many commercially available firefighting foams are un-stable and separate diminishing, eliminated, or increase the hazards instead of acting as a useful fire protection product.

Yet, it has been nearly impossible to find solvents that are both useful as components of firefighting foams and that fall into the category of non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-corrosive materials.

During this routine testing a significant amount of waste firefighting foam materials is produced, which can result in environmental damage for the forgoing reasons.

These tests can require that the toxic foam waste discharged during a test must be contained and transported to a hazardous waste containment facility for treatment, which is a costly process.